ABSTRACT
The reforms to the SEN system introduced in 2014 include a radical restructure of the way provision in secondary schools is made for children and young people with SEND. From September 2014 only one category of special educational needs is used in schools. Known as SEN Support, this change is at the heart of the SEND reforms, and provides a strong focus to help pupils overcome as early as possible barriers to learning and achievement. No longer do pupils need to be seen to fail before they are moved to the next ‘level’ at which advice and support from external specialists can be brought in. Schools are free to ask for specialist advice and support as soon as there is a concern about a pupil’s progress or development, and that advice is then available to form part of the decision-making process as to whether or not a pupil needs special educational provision. In this way as early as possible, and so as to close the gap between themselves and other pupils of the same age, pupils’ strengths and needs can be identified, and more targeted support and interventions implemented to help them make accelerated progress.
